Abdominal injuries

As is the case with chest injuries, injuries may also occur when a ball travelling at a high speed hits the abdomen.

When the ball hits the solar plexus it is particularly painful. This may cause the diaphragm to spasm, resulting in breathing difficulties – a sensation commonly known as “getting the wind knocked out of you”. For the most part, only the soft tissues of the abdominal muscles are involved.

In rare cases damage to the internal organs such as the kidney, liver or spleen may occur.

Content reviewed and enhanced by Dr Joe de Beer, a well-known orthopaedic specialist, and T-J Malherbe, a physiotherapist. Both are from Cape Town.